Left flank pain is characterized by sharp and stabbing pain on the left side of the waist. This condition can be caused by various things and should not be taken lightly, because it can be a sign of a disease.
Anyone can experience left back pain. The pain that appears sometimes can spread to other parts of the body, such as the buttocks, groin, and back of the thigh.
In addition to pain, there are several accompanying symptoms that can appear when experiencing left back pain, including:
- Pain that gets worse when moving
- Tingling or numbness in the buttocks or legs
- Difficulty bending and leaning
- Pain that radiates to the legs and can cause complaints of difficulty walking
- Cramps in the muscles around the spine, causing stiffness in the waist
What are the Causes?
Left back pain can be caused by various things. However, the most common cause is sudden movement or poor posture when lifting heavy objects, causing injury to the left side of the waist.
In addition, left back pain can also be caused by certain health problems, such as:
1. Muscles tense
Doing strenuous activities that involve back movement can cause the back muscles to be pulled so that they become tense and even tear. Common symptoms of muscle tension are pain and stiffness in the waist. This condition can recover and improve after the sufferer rests or undergoes physiotherapy.
2. Sciatica
Sciatica is caused by compression of the nerves that connect the spinal cord and nerves to the legs. This can occur when there is a shift in the nerve pads in the spine or a disturbance in the spine, causing a pinched nerve.
One of the common characteristics of sciatica is the appearance of tingling with severe pain that radiates from the left or right waist to the legs and feet.
3. Spinal stenosis
A narrowing of the spine that causes compression of the spinal nerves is called spinal stenosis. Pressure on the spinal cord due to spinal stenosis can cause numbness, cramping, and weakness in the part of the body where the nerve is being compressed.
Generally, the symptoms will get worse when standing or walking. The main cause of spinal stenosis is the change in bone condition due to aging, so that the spinal cord presses on the nerves and eventually causes pain.
4. Kidney disorders
Because it is located close to the waist, disorders that occur in the kidney organs, such as kidney stones or kidney infections, can cause pain in the waist. Kidney problems usually cause pain between the lower ribs and the pelvis.
5. Physical injury
Hip fractures or damage to the muscles and bones around the left hip can also cause pain. These complaints are generally felt some time after the injury.
In women, several other conditions that can also affect the appearance of pain in the left hip are ovarian cysts, endometriosis, growth of fibroid tissue in the uterus, and pregnancy.
Things to watch out for from left back pain
Although most cases of left back pain can heal on its own, there are some conditions that still require a doctor's examination.
Associated symptoms of left back pain that require immediate medical examination and treatment include:
- Difficulty controlling urination and defecation
- Paralysis or numbness in the waist and legs
- Lack of muscle mass and strength in both legs
- Fever
- Difficult to walk
If you experience back pain that does not improve or is accompanied by the above symptoms, you should consult a doctor so that treatment can be given according to the cause of your left back pain.